Vladimir Pushnenko
USA- Biography of Vladimir Pyschnenko
- Life in the United States
- Financial Struggles
- The Move to the United States
- Continuing Swimming and Coaching
- Comparison of Swimming in Russia and the United States
- Views on Doping and the Chinese Swimming Team
- Life in the United States
- Personal and Professional Achievements
Biography of Vladimir Pyschnenko
Vladimir Pyschnenko, an Olympic swimming champion, has been living and coaching in the United States for 15 years. He recently gave an informative interview to Sports.ru, discussing his experiences of not getting enough to eat in the USSR, cleaning tennis courts for $4 an hour, and now training the best junior swimmer in America.
Life in the United States
Pyschnenko currently works as the Head Senior Coach at one of the largest swimming clubs in Illinois. He trains children aged 14 and above. One of his recent achievements was coaching a junior swimmer who became the national champion in the 100-meter butterfly event. Pyschnenko explains that he left for Australia, not the United States, in 1992. However, he found it too expensive to live there without much support from the swimming federation. After receiving minimal financial assistance for winning Olympic gold in Barcelona, Pyschnenko realized that he couldn't sustain himself financially and decided to return to Russia.
Financial Struggles
Despite being an Olympic champion, Pyschnenko explains that his earnings were meager. He received $3,000 for winning the gold medal in Barcelona and considered himself lucky. In those times, they were thrilled to receive a full set of equipment after the Olympic trials. Pyschnenko recalls a time when they would take caviar and vodka abroad, hoping to exchange them for goods. He mentions how difficult it was to have significant amounts of money. After winning silver in Atlanta, Pyschnenko quickly retired from swimming at the age of 27. The head coach of the national team, Victor Avdienko, believed it was time for the older athletes to step aside and make way for younger swimmers.
The Move to the United States
In 1997, Pyschnenko started looking for work and eventually landed a coaching job in Moscow for a minimal salary. A friend suggested he try finding a job in the United States, so he sent his resume to various swimming clubs, schools, and pools. Within a few days, he received a job offer and decided to fly to the United States for an interview. Pyschnenko admits that he struggled with the language barrier during the interview but managed to impress them by showing his Barcelona and Atlanta Olympic medals. Since then, he has not returned to Russia.
Continuing Swimming and Coaching
Pyschnenko continues to swim and holds world records for veteran swimmers. He set his first record in 2006 when he was 36 years old, and he broke two more records four years later in the 40-44 age group. He is proud that his records still stand. Pyschnenko's wife, Natalia Meshcheryakova, is also a former record holder in Russia. They have a daughter, Daria, who is 13 years old and already training at their swimming club. Although she was born in the United States, they plan to obtain Russian citizenship for her in the future.
Comparison of Swimming in Russia and the United States
Pyschnenko believes that the difference between swimming in Russia and the United States lies in the mass participation of athletes. He mentions that only around 30 people participate in each discipline at the Russian Championships, while the Junior Championships in the United States have 800 participants. He explains that the American system allows for natural selection to occur, with athletes progressing to higher levels based on their performance. Pyschnenko argues that the success of American swimming is not solely due to exceptional coaching or methodology but rather a result of the sheer number of participants.
Views on Doping and the Chinese Swimming Team
Pyschnenko believes that the American swimming system is clean and free from doping. He explains that the consequences for a coach found to be involved in doping are severe, as they will never find a decent job again. He also dismisses suspicions about the Chinese swimming team, stating that their success could be attributed to their rigorous training and a different approach to coaching.
Life in the United States
Pyschnenko admits that starting a new life in an unfamiliar country at the age of 29 was not easy. He initially took on any job he could find, including cleaning tennis courts for $4 an hour to provide for his family. Despite some people questioning his decision to work as a janitor as an Olympic champion, Pyschnenko explains that he simply needed the money. Over time, he found his passion in coaching swimming and considers it a hobby that pays well.
Personal and Professional Achievements
Born on March 25, 1970, in Rostov-on-Don, Vladimir Pyschnenko is a distinguished Master of Sports. He represented the USSR and Russia in swimming, with coaches including Nadezhda and Georgy Shevelev, Gennady Turetsky, and Andrey Zelenyaev. Pyschnenko won an Olympic gold medal in the 4x200-meter relay in 1992 and achieved silver medals at the 1992 and 1996 Olympic Games. He retired from professional swimming in 1998.
Despite his success in the United States, Pyschnenko still holds fond memories of his childhood, first coach, and swimming in the Don River. However, he has no intentions of returning to Russia as his family and beloved work are in the United States. While he still keeps in touch with Russian swimming and follows the results, Pyschnenko has no regrets about his move and has successfully built a new life in his adopted country.
